Occlusal Splints
Your Solution To Bruxism in Macquarie
What is bruxism?
It’s more than just a noisy habit at night. Bruxism is a condition where you clench your jaw muscles or grind your teeth, often without even realising you’re doing it. Over time, this causes serious tooth wear and can really mess with your jaw joints—the temporomandibular joint, if we’re being technical.
These dental splints work by creating a specific bite surface that evenly distributes those heavy forces. By managing the occlusal contacts, the splint saves your occlusal surfaces from being ground down and helps maintain better oral health.
Do I need an occlusal splint?
If you’ve been searching for relief from teeth grinding near you or you’re waking up with persistent jaw pain, it’s probably time to reach out to a dentist. We usually suggest occlusal splint therapy when we notice signs of temporomandibular disorders or visible damage to your anterior teeth.
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, your body is likely trying to tell you something:
- Grinding and clenching (often loud enough to wake a partner)
- Pain or popping in the jaw or temples
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Regular headaches or muscle tension in the face
- Earaches or clicking in the jaw
- Tiredness or fatigue from poor sleep
But don’t just wait for the symptoms to get worse. If you’re unsure, book a checkup and clean at our Belconnen practice. We’ll take a look at your bite and see if a splint is the right move for your dental health.
What happens if I don’t treat my bruxism?
Ignoring it usually leads to more trouble down the road. Without a bite splint to help with reducing pressure, you might face more severe cases of tooth movement, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss. It’s not just about the teeth, since it can affect the whole masticatory system.
Chronic muscle activity and internal derangement of the joint can lead to long-term pain that’s a lot harder to treat later on.
How are occlusal splints made?
We start by taking a precise mould of your upper and lower teeth. This goes to a specialised dental laboratory where they craft the appliance based on your specific needs. There are actually several occlusal splint types depending on what’s going on with your jaw. Some people need hard splints or nylon splints for durability, while others might do better with soft splints.
In some cases, we might use an anterior repositioning splint to help the jaw find a better centric relation, or a flat plane design to encourage neuromuscular harmony. Whether it’s a standard custom mouth guards or a more complex interocclusal appliance, our goal is to offer relief and protect your smile.
Typically, you’ll just wear your splint at night, and most patients start feeling a difference and alleviating pain within just a few weeks.
Custom-Made Occlusal Splints in Belconnen & Macquarie
If you know you’re grinding or you’ve been struggling with TMD symptoms, don’t put it off. Reach out to us at Macquarie Dental Care to see if splint therapy is the right path for you. We’ve invested in a state-of-the-art practice right here in Macquarie because we believe patient education and quality care go hand in hand.
Contact us at Macquarie Dental Care Belconnen today and discover how we can help you keep in good oral health.
Ready to get started? Book an appointment now!
Fissure Sealants FAQs
Yes, in all the right ways. For example, if a patient has an existing poor bite or if they grind their teeth at night (bruxism), an occlusal splint can help to move their teeth back into alignment.
Occlusal splints can be cleaned by brushing them with toothpaste and water, or a denture cleaner. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly after cleaning.
If you are still unsure about a particular dental cleaning product to use or how to adequately clean your occlusal splint, contact our team today for assistance.
